August District Governor’s Message

Last month we talked about a Passion to Grow. This month let’s talk about a Passion for Outreach.

What is outreach? Lions Clubs do not exist in a vacuum. We did not join Lions to eat a meal and give each other plaques. We are a service organization. In order to serve we must be visible in the community, we must know our community, and the community must know us.

All clubs should make contact with the government service agencies in your community. You need to be aware of what those agencies offer; they need to be aware of what we offer.

Some examples from 8-O:

A friend of a member and her children lost everything they owned in a fire. Hours after the fire, the club had not only given her some money to help her buy essentials, club members had used contacts with several local and state agencies to help her get assistance.

A special-ed teacher noticed a child in her class with sight problems. She also knew some Lions and eventually the child ended up being referred to the Eye Foundation in New Orleans for services.

A club established a relationship with its parish Head Start. Now every fall each and every Head Start student in the parish is screened by Cub Sight and Head Start officials in the parish support other Lions projects.

A club has a photographer from the local paper at every meeting, and gets regular publicity for the club.

The goal is to get out and know your community and let your community know you. Make contact with special-ed teachers to recruit campers. Invite your mayor and town officials to your club meeting. Be aware of the Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Hospitals, Council on Aging, and Community Action offices in your parish and make them aware of your club and what Lions can offer. Make as many people in your community aware of who Lions are and what we do.

Who knows, you might even get some new members.

Lion Bob